U of L running backs Dae Williams, Aidan Robbins are finally healthy, ready to contribute

Dae Williams might be the self-proclaimed “old man” of the running back corps, but even for him this fall camp has been somewhat new.  

The 6-foot-1, 225 pound back, who redshirted his freshman year, has battled injuries throughout his career. He tore his ACL in April 2017, missing the first half of the season, and had a wrist injury end his redshirt-sophomore year after playing just four games.  

But as fall camp comes to a close, there are no remnants of those injuries.

Talking to Louisville media for the first time this summer, Williams laughed and joked with his teammates as they walked by the cameras that were pointed at him.  

A large grin shot across his face throughout his short media session.  

“Usually at this time I’m in a boot or on crutches or something,” Williams said. “Every day I'm grateful. I thank God for allowing me to be out here and play.” 

Williams isn’t the only running back with injury history.  

More:Hassan Hall leads Louisville football's running backs, but there's competition behind him

Louisville's Dae Williams gets his second touchdown of the game put the Cardinals ahead of Western Kentucky 20-17 late in the fourth quarter Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

Aidan Robbins missed much of his senior season at Manual after tearing his labrum. He didn’t participate in spring practice, which made fall camp his first chance to get back on the football field.  

The two are connected by more than just injuries, they are two of the bigger running backs on the roster and are among seven competing for playing time.  

They are also good friends and have been since Robbins' sophomore year of high school.  

“He’s my mentor,” Robbins said. “He’s like my older brother. He teaches me something new every day and I’m learning behind him right now, but hopefully one day I can be better than Dae.”  

Robbins' respect for Williams goes beyond his talent on the field. It’s the way he carries himself.  

In his three years at Louisville, Williams has played in 10 games, tallying 306 yards and five touchdowns on 60 carries.  

Injuries have derailed what many believed to be a promising career based on the sparks shown on the field. But as his teammate, Robbins said injuries haven't affected Williams’ mindset.  

“He’s had a wrist, a knee injury, he’s had every injury in the book,” Robbins said. “But he’s still out here performing well and running hard.”  

Part of it is motivation to prove himself. Over the last few years, Williams' name likely surfaced in preseason talks as somebody who could make an impact in the backfield. 

Read this:Manual alum Aidan Robbins could be a nice surprise for Louisville in 2019

But there’s the usual caveat, he needs to stay healthy.  

Williams is motivated to show he can do just that. 

“I didn’t do anything last year so I’m kind of off the radar, nobody knows who I am,” he said. “This time I really have a fire with it, a motivation to show everybody I can stay healthy and I can do some things.”  

Though competing throughout all of fall camp is different for the Oklahoma native, it’s something he needed.

“Usually when I come back I’m behind the competition,” he said. “Being able to get that fall camp in and extra days in, it’s been good for me.”  

For Robbins, who enrolled in January, the missed time is a benefit. 

“I got to get with a good staff in there that got to work on my shoulder day in and day out. A lifting staff with coach Mike (Sirignano) who knew how I could perform with that shoulder injury,” Robbins said. “It was a blessing to come in and do all those things, get my shoulder healed and get on the field as soon as I can.”  

The true freshman spent camp trying to get adjusted to the speed of the game and learning new coach Scott Satterfield's offense. But he's drawn rave reviews from Satterfield and his teammates.  

"It was good to finally get out there since I didn’t participate in the spring," Robbins said. "it was good to get out there, adjust to the speed of the game and get some live action in." 

Read this:Inside Scott Satterfield's plan to rebuild Louisville from the ground up

He’s completely healthy now, he said. As is Williams. 

Along with running backs like Hassan Hall, Javian Hawkins, Maurice Burkely, freshman Jalen Mitchell and Taveon Graves, there’s plenty of competition for reps in the backfield.  

Hall is likely to be the starter with Hawkins backing him up. Running back coach Norval McKenzie said he would like to have a rotation of two to three running backs in games and Williams said he feels like he’s in a good position to earn playing time.  

But for both Williams and Robbins, they add a different dynamic to that room of running backs. They are the only backs over 220 pounds and aren’t taking their health for granted.  

“Never give up,” Robbins said. “Do what you have to do and do what you love.” 

Cameron Teague Robinson CTeagueRob@gannett.com; Twitter: @cj_teagueSupport strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/subscribe.